Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Loan Charge: Impact on Mental Health

Tuesday 7 February 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has accepted 19 out of 20 recommendations from Lord Morse's review regarding the loan charge.
  • HMRC has support teams to assist individuals affected by the loan charge, including referrals to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
  • Eight investigations into deaths related to the loan charge have concluded with no findings of misconduct.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Taxation Mental Health
Context

The question arises from concerns about the mental health impact of individuals affected by the loan charge. There have been documented cases including 10 suicides.

Question

I am concerned about the potential impact of the loan charge on the mental health of those affected. Can you assess this and confirm if schemes that the charge was intended to stop are still operational?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

The Government recognise the impact of the loan charge and have accepted 19 out of 20 recommendations from Lord Morse's review. HMRC has support teams with trained advisers to help affected individuals, including referrals to the Independent Office for Police Conduct regarding 10 deaths.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Whether loan schemes that the charge was set up to stop are still in operation

How: Acknowledge Impact, Refer To Support Teams

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Q2 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
NHS Taxation
Context

There are concerns about the mental health impact of the loan charge, with 10 suicides documented. The question seeks clarity on ongoing schemes that may be similar to those the charge was intended to stop.

Question

HMRC has acknowledged ten suicides related to the loan charge. Can you confirm if loan schemes like those targeted by the charge are still operational? What measures are in place to prevent further tragedies?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has been referred to regarding ten deaths related to the loan charge. No misconduct was found in eight concluded investigations, but HMRC supports taxpayers through extra support teams offering help and time-to-pay options.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Whether similar loan schemes are still operational

How: Acknowledge Deaths, Refer To Support Teams

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Q3 Richard Fuller Con North Bedfordshire
Taxation
Context

The loan charge process has been ongoing for some time, raising questions about its effectiveness and potential moral hazards.

Question

Given that the hopes on the loan charge's introduction have not been fully realised, with it now having gone on for a considerable period, will my hon. Friend look into ways to conclude this HMRC scheme?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

We have had an independent review which has reduced the number of people affected, but a large sum of money is still outstanding from these disputes. I encourage anyone affected by historic issues to talk to HMRC for resolution.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific examination of ways to conclude the scheme

How: Acknowledge Independent Review, Refer To Ongoing Disputes

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